~ Wednesday, June 12, 1996 — North Shore News bUrrard if RQquiry a BY MARTIN MILLERCHIP Contributing Writer CHIEF Leonard George and the Tsleil-Waututh (Burrard Indian Band) want to join in the development of highrise residential buildings along the Dollarton waterfront. That is if North Vancouver District Council can produce its environmental research supporting such a decision. So says a recent letter from Chief George to Mayor Murray Dykeman and council obtained by the Nerth Shore News. And that news has at least one councillor reconsidering her support for a highrise waterfront redevelopment. “It is encouraging to believe that development of this area could take place with- out negative environmental consequences and we are eager to share in your research. “If our concerns for the natural infrastructure are unfounded we would like to join in this developmental process with the conception of similar highrise residential _ ouildings on the’ waterfront lands of the Burrard reserve,” . said George. : The ironic tone of the let- ter appears to be driven by the news that United Properties Ltd. have recently proposed a Maggie Fyson, and smokies in substantial Children's their support. neith vancouver the istrict Council Sangita Shah ane front of the bra Can a bank make hot dogs? Customers sure think so! The 2nd annual hot dog sale raised a sum Hospital. 15th & Lonsdale branch extend their thanks co the community for Nine-storey upartment: block redevelopment for the Noble Towing/Mackenzie Barge site. George refused further comment to the News, saying he wanted a response from mayor and council first. United Properties has fought for years to obtain res- idential rezoning for the heavily polluted industrial site often referred to as Cates Landing. The company saw its zon- ing proposal for 179 condo- minium anits go down in a close 4-3 council vote in December fast vear. United's more — recent apurtment-lower concept has been shown to the the dis- trict’s Advisory Planning Commission, but has yet to come before council for bylaw consideration, Writes George: “Certainly the developers and the District of North Vancouver mayor and council must have soundly researched effects on the natur- al surround- ings that would follow such develop- ment in order to come to the conclusion to proceed.” Said district environmen- tal protection officer Mel Kotyk, “I'm only aware of one study done on the Cates Landing site.” Kotyk said United Properties had commissioned a $9,000 study that focused on the extent of soi! contami- nation on the site. Kotyk described the study as “a snapshot of what's there” and said the Phase One { Pat Penton serve nat dogs ach at 15th é Lonsdale. for the B.C. The staff ar ighrise ‘twist’ study did not address remedi- ation issues. “Lo obelieve what he (George) is looking for is much niore extensive and far- ranging.” said Kotyk. He agreed that the district has undertaken no environ- mental studies of its own on the site. Kotyk pointed out that such studies and remedi- al actions would be required of the proponent under the terms of a development per- mil. However, the district's development permit: process takes place after zoning has been agreed upon, Coun. Janice Harris. who has supported United's pro- posals for Cates Landing, describes George's letter as “a new twist in what has been the toughest jolly question of the whole three years.” “What is he’? An environ: mentalist. or a developer?” asked Harris. “[f we are setting the precedent, what happens if we turn that (Cates Landing) into park? Is he going to ded- icate his foreshore to park too? “t wish I'd received this letter months ago. |) may change my whole point of view on Cates Landing.” Lisa Muri, a director of the Group = United = Around Responsible Development (GUARD), said she doubts that Burrard Band is seriously considering highrise develop- ment on its waterfront proper- ty. Muri acknowledges a precedent would be set if the United Properties proposal were to go ahead. A WEST C SUMMER TOURISM PACKAGES REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL West Coast Express opearates a bi-level passenger train service between Mission and Vancouver. The downtown terminus is the CP Station at Waterfront and there are a total of seven stations in the valley jocated between Port Moody and Mission. All trains feature onboard cappucino bars, air conditioning and washrooms. The regular schedule operates Monday to Friday with five trains travelling West in the Morning, and five trains travelling East in the evening, A Sunday train is under consideration for the July/August period. Evening Eastbound Waterfront to Mission Morning Westbound Mission to Waterfront / : as at aay ee 4 $08 $0% ssa! i sy 6” re js ise “$35 $39 6y 619 649 | ST 2 ON sg $ Se aS on jase | ren 750 fers os oie 439 68k 705 tla ans $ G4} 948 45h 20h 205 Schedules Faber! to change ci GBS 7748 for intrmation se 1 BOO-570-2745 Ue iond West Coast Express is interested in receiving proposals from tour oper- ators, transportation companies (land, marine or air}, accommodation operators, tourism associations, travel agencies, meeting planners and other interested parties to create a series of tourism packages with a rail component. Please submit a brief written proposal for consideration by June 21, 1996 to: West Coast Express 800-815 West Hastings Vancouver, BC VGC 1B4 Attn: Marketing NORTH SHORE 2(i5 ews a orth: shore 5.900 new cars were purchased on the North Shore last year. Ta reach this lucrative marker, place your ads where the readership is.